The Owen County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve a one-year professional services agreement with the county’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC), formalizing oversight, quarterly reporting and performance expectations.

Commissioners said the contract fills a gap — the EDC had been funded without a written agreement since 2017 — and includes quarterly reporting and a revocable annual contract so the county can assess performance year by year. The county’s budget already includes $75,000 allocated to economic development for the year; commissioners said they expect the EDC to report quarterly so the county can judge return on investment.

County and council members discussed a parallel council proposal to create a county economic development department in the future; some council members asked that the EDC contract and Baker Tilly material be considered together at a joint session so council members can evaluate how $75,000 may be allocated across multiple economic-development efforts. Commissioners agreed to correct a typographical date in the contract (report schedule was listed for 2025, not 2026) before final signature.

The board also appointed Commissioner Dave Ritz to serve as the county liaison to the EDC’s monthly meetings. The motion to approve the contract passed by voice vote.